The rest of the evening is spent enjoying lighthearted banter, LB and Max’s verbal sparring, and watching Lane slowly open up to everyone. When Mom and Lane briefly disappear, I’m sure he’s getting one of Mom’s “welcome to the family” speeches. By the time the two of them return, Lane looks less like the world is pressing down on him and more like the young twenty-four-year-old searching for a place to belong that he is. He quickly gets pulled into the Terror Twins’ shenanigans.
I make my way over to Ma and wrap her up in a hug. “You look happy.”
“I am. My first son is no longer heartbroken and trying to hide it. My second son is finally back where he belongs—and he brought me two others to love on. My house and heart are full to burstin’.” My own heart beats in agreement.
Everett
We’ve been regularly spending time together ever since LB got out of the hospital. Most of our time is spent at his apartment or walking to the coffee shop down the block. Today, though, we’re going on our official first date. As I drive, my mind drifts back to the day that set all of this in motion.
LB is sprawled out on the floor, chewing on his hoodie string while surrounded by markers. He’s working on one of those adult coloring books I got him. Today seems to be one of his better days. His smiles meet his eyes. Laughter comes easier, and he’s extra playful. Seeing him like this fills me with a warmth that helps to chase away the chill that set in that day in the hospital.
A hand waves in front of my face. “Earth to Teddy…”
Blinking away all thoughts of hospitals and flatlines, I lift my gaze to meet LB’s. “Sorry, I must’ve zoned out there for a minute.”
LB’s eyes are practically shining with amusement. “Sorry to be such a boring date. I’ll try to do better next time.”
His words send a jolt through my entire body. At the same time, LB realizes what he’s just said.
“Umm, not that this is a date, or that we would be going on one. That’s not to say that I wouldn’t, of course! Just that this isn’t, and we aren’t. But like…nope. I’m just going to stop talking now.” He places his hand over his mouth.
“I…uh. Well…see. I mean… I wouldn’t be opposed to goin’ on a date with you.” I can’t look at LB, choosing instead to stare at his knee.
His voice is so soft I almost miss his “What?”
I take a deep breath, then force my eyes up to meet his. “LB, you mean the world to me. You always have. I would be honored if you wanted to go on a date with me, but I don’t want you to feel pressured. You can say no, and nothin’ will change between us.”
“I—” He chews his lip for the longest minute in history before he finally responds. “Okay. Yeah. I… I think I’d like that a lot. A date. With you.”
My face is on fire, and I just know I’m as red as LB, if not more. “Really?” I ask, unable to believe this is real.
“Really,” he says with a soft smile.
Fourteen-year-old me would have never believed this is real life. I hope he likes the plan I came up with.I should probably run it by him before we leave, just in case any adjustments need to be made.I knock on his door, shifting my weight from foot to foot. When it opens, the sight of him standing in the doorway steals my breath. He’s the most beautiful human I’ve ever seen, even in sweats and an oversized tee, but this version of him… I have no words.
He’s wearing black skinny jeans that are just the right amount of tight. The real showstopper, though, is his shirt. It’sa button-down made from a black, see-through material. The flowers and vines stitched across the top prevent me from seeing most of his skin, which only makes the shirt that much more alluring. His distressed black denim jacket completes the look. The outfit manages to be both delicate and masculine at the same time, and it fits his personality perfectly.
“Are you gonna stand out there all night staring, or would you like to come in?”
I smile ruefully, at being called out. “Just enjoying the scenery. I can appreciate the view just as well inside, though. So lead the way.”
“Oh, look at you! Learned a little sass in my time away.”
That gets a laugh out of me. “Well, there was a void that needed filling in your absence. Just doin’ my civic duty.”
“Careful now. Someone might decide to take you over their knee for talking like that.” His words make me stumble and nearly swallow my tongue, and he peeks over his shoulder and smirks at my predicament. I clear my throat to cover up the small whimper that managed to escape. That’s not something I’ve ever been into before, but, coming out of his mouth, it sounds like the best idea I’ve ever heard.
Having mercy on me, he asks, “Would you like a tour before we head out? As many times as you’ve been here, I don’t think I’ve ever given you an official tour, and that’s a thing people do on dates…isn’t it?”
“I haven’t been on enough dates to know if it’s standard or not, but an official apartment tour sounds like a great way to start our date.”
“You’ve already seen this part, but…” He pauses, spinning to face me and sweeping his arms out, Vanna White style. “…This is the living room, dining room, and kitchen combo. Very open plan. Very spacious.” Apparently, sarcasm is the vibe of this tour. He leads me down the hallway. “Here we have thebathroom/laundry combo. You aren’t living until you’ve washed your hair and your underwear at the same time. Lastly, we have the bedroom, the only room that’s actually new to you. There’s a queen size bed fit for a king.” He says more, but the words are lost to the rushing in my ears.
There, on the bed, sits a tattered, not-so-neon green teddy bear. Breathing suddenly gets difficult, and my heartbeat goes from a simple two-step to a full-on rave. A hand waves in front of my face, but I’m unable to look away from the bear.
“You…you kept it?” I finally manage to get out as I turn to look at him.
LB, with his eyebrows scrunched, turns to look at the bed. I see the moment he realizes what has caught my attention. He stares at his socked feet, trying to bury his toes in the carpet. I smile at the familiar nervous habit.
